What should I do to ace an interview with a leading Pharmaceuticals firm

Question from the Job Seeker

I finally have an interview lined up for next Tuesday with a leading Pharmaceuticals firm in Dubai. What should I do to ace the interview?

Answer From Bayt.com HR Guru

Good for you! The pharmaceuticals industry as per Bayt.com’s recent HR research and surveys and based on Bayt.com Job postings and search figures has been one of the lesser industries affected by the economic downturn and many top pharmaceutical companies in Dubai and elsewhere in the GCC and Middle East continue to hire top qualified professionals with experience in the pharmaceutical industry. Make sure you do the following before the interview:

• Get familiarized with the pharmaceutical markets in the GCC in general and Dubai in particular
• Do your homework and research the company: its history, its products, its accomplishments, its brand promise, its competitors … The more you know, the more interested (and interesting) you will look in the eyes of your interviewer.
• Make it a point to get there 15 minutes early so that you leave a good first impression.
• Keep your interview answers succinct and straight to the point: this will be easier if you are confident and well prepared, have all important facts, know exactly what your strengths are, what your areas of development are (do not dwell on those), what you’re bringing to the table and what your short-term and long-term career objectives are.
• Do NOT discuss the salary at this stage!! It would in all probability be too early. Instead, thank your interviewer for his time and follow up with a professional thank you note by e-mail or official letter… Everyone likes Thank You’s!
• For extra confidence during the interview please refer to Bayt’s plentiful and invaluable Interviews advice within the Bayt.com Career Articles and Guide section, the best resource for Jobseekers and serious professionals in the Middle East.